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Using Eco-Home Diagnosis to reduce household energy consumption: A case study on behavioral changes in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

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  • Iwasaki, Shimpei

Abstract

The Eco-Home Diagnosis program was introduced to promote energy-saving actions in Japanese households. However, to date, no study has examined whether it contributes to actual energy reduction while evaluating psychological factors that lead to energy-saving actions by participants. Hence, this paper reports on a case study in Fukuoka Prefecture that evaluated these effects. The findings revealed that 33 participants performed 3.3 energy-saving actions on average. They opted primarily for curtailment actions, but these had a small impact on electricity use relative to efficiency actions, which require high initial costs. The analysis of factors determining participants’ energy-saving actions showed that, before the program, behavioral intentions were influenced by cost–benefit evaluations. However, this changed after the program: Their interest was raised by perceived effectiveness, and this was seen to be linked to their motivation and behavioral intentions. It is recommended that enhancement of the perceived effectiveness should be further considered during the diagnosis process, while more feedback by advisors is needed to keep participants aware of energy-saving actions. The program is likely to be more effective if it targets those who are planning to build or renovate their homes.

Suggested Citation

  • Iwasaki, Shimpei, 2019. "Using Eco-Home Diagnosis to reduce household energy consumption: A case study on behavioral changes in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 893-900.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:132:y:2019:i:c:p:893-900
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.06.055
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katzev, Richard D. & Johnson, Theodore R., 1983. "A social-psychological analysis of residential electricity consumption: the impact of minimal justification techniques," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 3(3-4), pages 267-284, September.
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    1. Wang, Shubin & Sun, Shaolong & Zhao, Erlong & Wang, Shouyang, 2021. "Urban and rural differences with regional assessment of household energy consumption in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    2. Sylwia Słupik & Joanna Kos-Łabędowicz & Joanna Trzęsiok, 2021. "How to Encourage Energy Savings Behaviours? The Most Effective Incentives from the Perspective of European Consumers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Zhao, Xueyuan & Gao, Weijun & Qian, Fanyue & Ge, Jian, 2021. "Electricity cost comparison of dynamic pricing model based on load forecasting in home energy management system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    4. McAndrew, Ryan & Mulcahy, Rory & Gordon, Ross & Russell-Bennett, Rebekah, 2021. "Household energy efficiency interventions: A systematic literature review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    5. Guo, Ji & Xu, Yuanjing & Qu, Yao & Wang, Yiting & Wu, Xianhua, 2023. "Exploring factors affecting household energy consumption in the internet era: Empirical evidence from Chinese households," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

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